Charles Charamba

categories:

Charles Charamba is a Zimbabwean gospel artiste, church pastor and a member of the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) in Zimbabwe. He is arguably one of the best gospel artists in Zimbabwe. He is backed by his band, Fishers of Men. His most popular songs include Machira Chete, Buruka, Nyika, Nyika YeZimbabwe.

Career

In 1995, Charamba recorded seven singles and in 1997, he recorded his first album titled Tinashe Akatendeka.[2] It was reported that this album made an impact as well as introducing Charamba to the music map within the country.

In 1998, Charamba would enrol at the Living Waters Theology Seminary, a theological school established by AFM.[2] Whilst studying for his Diploma In Theology, Charamba continued to pursue his musical career. In 1998, he released, Johane 3:16 which has been referred to as the album which did more than enough to make Charamba an acclaimed gospel artist in the country.[1] Since then, Charamba has been arguably the best gospel artists to emerge in the country. Charamba has toured many countries regionally and worldwide such as South Africa, Australia, United States of America, United Kingdom etc.

Scandals

In 2004, Charamba was arrested for fraud. It was reported that he had connived with the then Agribank Managing Director of Mvuri's bank's branch to defraud the bank of about ZW $40 million, of which ZW $9 million was already in his account.[4] The bank manager stated that Charamba had applied for a loan because he was in dire need to purchase farm inputs.[4] It was however indicated that Charamba never applied for a loan. He was however acquitted.

In 2012 and 2013, albums of up coming gospel artists which were pirated were sold as recent offerings from Charamba within the streets. In 2012, a pirated album belonging to Raymond Chakanyukwa was sold as the new album by Charamba who had last released an album in 2010.[5] In 2013, Trymore Bande's Zvakagara Zvakadaro was also sold as belonging to Charamba.[5] In the wake of this, Charamba sued Bande for trying to defraud him. Layton Ngolomi, Bande's producer stated that this was uncalled for as he had communicated with Charamba after realising that Bande's album was being sold as Charamba's in the streets.[6] When this was revealed, the case was shelved.